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JAMES AND FLORENCE WISEMAN ITNERVIEW
OH 1079
New Deal in Montana/ Fort Peck Dam Oral History Project
Montana Historical Society
Summary
1 to 5 minutes
James raised on cattle ranch in Garfield County. Came to Ft Peck, February 1934 to work. Didn't
know anything about construction, but got job as laborer on railroad. Describes first day on job,
spiking rails. Depression years on cattle ranch. No money, but had garden and meat. After got
married, tried to run a ranch, but couldn't make a living. His wife taught school. Wife's wages
were cut during Depression, so he told her to forget the teaching job, he'd get a Ft Peck job. Was
about 28 years old when went to Ft Peck. Remembers incident on ranch when little daughter was
dragged away by one of their pigs intending to eat her, but he was able to free her from the pig and
they ate him instead. Tells where first lived. ( chimes) He and friend came together. Lived in
shack at Park Grove. Describes living arrangement. When his wife came, James built a 10 x 14
shack in Nashua. Florence was pregnant when came. Didn't like treatment at hospital, so was
determined to have next baby at home.
6 to 10 minutes
Doctor Curry delivered second baby at home. Got new job at spillway. Foreman wanted him to
take course to learn welding, but he didn't have the money, so got laid off. Then went to work pile
driving. Then worked as carpenter's helper. Then got job as rigger. Describes work as rigger. Was
made foreman. Was told to keep men working doing " rough job." Also worked as foreman over
sawmill crew. Florence remembers day of the slide, worried about him, thought he might have
been caught in it. James went to " electrical school" so he wouldn't be a laborer all his life.
Discusses entry into electrical field. World War II went to work in shell- loading plant. Returned to
Montana in 1946. Was living in Circle and didn't feel it was a good place to raise children, so
moved.
11 to 15 minutes
Safety procedures at Ft Peck. Didn't know anyone who was hurt on the job. Does remember when
a man was electrocuted. Tells story about this incident. Learned many skills on different jobs.
Tells what did when couldn't be spiker, carried water for men. One man would give him money to
buy beer instead of water. Florence remembers that 31- day months were great because it was an
extra $ 8 day's pay. Florence had a hard time maintaining charge accounts, so stopped charging.
Discusses her teaching work and inability to get certificate. Earned 50 cents an hour at laundry.
Had hired girl for $ 3 per week to stay home with children and prepare evening meal. Had two
different women babysit for her. One would keep everything clean and neat, but her daughter
wasn't allowed outside to play. The next one, whom the children loved, wasn't much for
housework, but was a better babysitter.

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Interviewed by Mary Murphy on 31 Jul. 1987 in Fort Peck, Mont., as part of the repository's New Deal in Montana/Fort Peck Dam Oral History Project.; Topics include James's work on the railroad, on the spillway, and on the rigger; Florence's duties in a local laundry; general living conditions; and recreation.; Residents of the Fort Peck area during the construction of Fort Peck Dam in the late 1930s.

JAMES AND FLORENCE WISEMAN ITNERVIEW
OH 1079
New Deal in Montana/ Fort Peck Dam Oral History Project
Montana Historical Society
Summary
1 to 5 minutes
James raised on cattle ranch in Garfield County. Came to Ft Peck, February 1934 to work. Didn't
know anything about construction, but got job as laborer on railroad. Describes first day on job,
spiking rails. Depression years on cattle ranch. No money, but had garden and meat. After got
married, tried to run a ranch, but couldn't make a living. His wife taught school. Wife's wages
were cut during Depression, so he told her to forget the teaching job, he'd get a Ft Peck job. Was
about 28 years old when went to Ft Peck. Remembers incident on ranch when little daughter was
dragged away by one of their pigs intending to eat her, but he was able to free her from the pig and
they ate him instead. Tells where first lived. ( chimes) He and friend came together. Lived in
shack at Park Grove. Describes living arrangement. When his wife came, James built a 10 x 14
shack in Nashua. Florence was pregnant when came. Didn't like treatment at hospital, so was
determined to have next baby at home.
6 to 10 minutes
Doctor Curry delivered second baby at home. Got new job at spillway. Foreman wanted him to
take course to learn welding, but he didn't have the money, so got laid off. Then went to work pile
driving. Then worked as carpenter's helper. Then got job as rigger. Describes work as rigger. Was
made foreman. Was told to keep men working doing " rough job." Also worked as foreman over
sawmill crew. Florence remembers day of the slide, worried about him, thought he might have
been caught in it. James went to " electrical school" so he wouldn't be a laborer all his life.
Discusses entry into electrical field. World War II went to work in shell- loading plant. Returned to
Montana in 1946. Was living in Circle and didn't feel it was a good place to raise children, so
moved.
11 to 15 minutes
Safety procedures at Ft Peck. Didn't know anyone who was hurt on the job. Does remember when
a man was electrocuted. Tells story about this incident. Learned many skills on different jobs.
Tells what did when couldn't be spiker, carried water for men. One man would give him money to
buy beer instead of water. Florence remembers that 31- day months were great because it was an
extra $ 8 day's pay. Florence had a hard time maintaining charge accounts, so stopped charging.
Discusses her teaching work and inability to get certificate. Earned 50 cents an hour at laundry.
Had hired girl for $ 3 per week to stay home with children and prepare evening meal. Had two
different women babysit for her. One would keep everything clean and neat, but her daughter
wasn't allowed outside to play. The next one, whom the children loved, wasn't much for
housework, but was a better babysitter.